A September Deadline in Iraq?

With Bush’s approval numbers now at 28% in some polls, GOPers are starting to bolt. The Washington Post is carrying as story today that indicated that the small cracks and fissures that have separated Bush from his supporters in the house are becoming chasms.

This was spurred on by predictions by General Petraeus, commanding general in Iraq, that by September 2007 he should know whether “the surge”, aka the escalation, is having “any impact on political reconciliation between Iraq's warring factions”.

In light of this news, Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) has changed his tune considerably.

"Many of my Republican colleagues have been promised they will get a straight story on the surge by September," I won't be the only Republican, or one of two Republicans, demanding a change in our disposition of troops in Iraq at that point. That is very clear to me."

Even House Minority Leader John Boehner (R - OH), one of Bush’s hard line supporters has signaled that a change is in the wind on the Republican side of the aisle.

"By the time we get to September, October, members are going to want to know how well this is working, and if it isn't, what's Plan B."

Plan B? Congressman Boehner, that WAS Plan B.

Clearly the fortress that Bush surrounds himself with regard to Democrats having 0less than the 2/3 necessary to override Bush’s vetoes in the House and Senate is beginning to crumble.

The Post article goes on about new timelines proposed. I can’t do it justice here. Go take a read.